Find Records in Carbon County
Carbon County genealogy records are held at the courthouse in Jim Thorpe, the historic borough formerly known as Mauch Chunk. Carbon County was formed from Monroe and Northampton Counties on March 13, 1843, and was named for the rich coal deposits found throughout the region. Records at the courthouse include marriage licenses from 1885, birth and death records from 1893 to 1905, wills from 1843, and land records from 1843. Researchers tracing Coal Region families in this part of eastern Pennsylvania will find a well-organized courthouse and additional historical materials available through the county archives.
Carbon County Genealogy Quick Facts
Carbon County Genealogy Records Overview
Carbon County was formed on March 13, 1843, from Monroe and Northampton Counties. The county seat is Jim Thorpe, historically known as Mauch Chunk, a name derived from the Lenape language. The county's name reflects its coal heritage. Records at the Carbon County Courthouse begin in 1843 and include wills, estate files, land records, marriage licenses, and birth and death records. The courthouse serves as the primary repository for all official genealogical records in the county.
The USGenWeb Archives at usgwarchives.net hold free online Carbon County records. These include cemetery transcriptions, census records, military records, deed abstracts, obituary extracts, and will abstracts. Mary Ann Lubinsky manages this county's online archive. Carbon County's coal-mining history means many immigrant families from Eastern Europe settled here in the late 1800s and early 1900s, adding international dimensions to genealogy research in this area.
The Carbon County government website at carboncountypa.gov provides department contact information and updates on courthouse access. Researchers should check the website for current office hours and any changes to record request procedures before visiting in person.
For records before Carbon County's formation in 1843, researchers must look at Monroe and Northampton County records. Land records and court documents from those counties may include individuals who later became Carbon County residents after the 1843 division.
Carbon County Register of Wills and Recorder
The Carbon County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court is located on the fourth floor of the Carbon County Courthouse, 55 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. The phone number is (570) 325-2261. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Marriage licenses are available from 1885 to the present. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are held here. Wills and estate records from 1843 to the present are maintained at this office. Online records are accessible through dedicated computer terminals in the office.
The Carbon County Recorder of Deeds is located on the first floor of the same courthouse. The phone number is (570) 325-2661. Land records from 1843 to the present are held here, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real estate documents. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. eRecording is available through Simplifile and CSC E-Recording Solutions. Online record searching is available through computer terminals in the office. All deeds must have a UPI stamp before recording.
| Register of Wills (4th Floor) |
Carbon County Courthouse 55 Broadway Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 Phone: (570) 325-2261 |
|---|---|
| Recorder of Deeds (1st Floor) |
Carbon County Courthouse 55 Broadway Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 Phone: (570) 325-2661 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
Carbon County Historical Records and Archives
The Carbon County Archives department at the courthouse complex holds historical county records of genealogical value. The collection includes naturalization records, historical tax records, county commissioner minutes and ordinances from the county's formation, photographs, and manuscripts. Researchers should contact the archives for specific holdings and access procedures. Hours may vary, and an appointment is recommended for extensive research sessions.
The county's coal-mining history is reflected in the types of records held locally. Many families who settled in Carbon County came from Ireland, Wales, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and other parts of Eastern Europe to work in the anthracite coal industry. Church records from Catholic and Protestant congregations, including Welsh Calvinist Methodist churches, can be important supplements to courthouse records. The USGenWeb Archives include some church record transcriptions for Carbon County congregations.
The historic borough of Jim Thorpe, formerly Mauch Chunk, was an important hub of the anthracite coal trade and is now a National Historic Landmark District. Researchers visiting Jim Thorpe will find a well-preserved 19th-century streetscape that gives context to the records held in the courthouse. The Asa Packer Mansion and other historic sites reflect the wealth generated by the coal trade during the county's peak years.
Note: Carbon County courthouse records can also be supplemented by searching Monroe and Northampton County records for families in the area before 1843. Check both neighboring counties when tracing early 19th-century ancestors.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records in Carbon County
Local birth and death records in Carbon County cover 1893 to 1905 at the Register of Wills office. Certified copies cost $5.00 each. Marriage licenses from 1885 to the present are held there as well. The marriage license fee is $60.00, payable in cash only, with a three-day waiting period. For births and deaths from 1906 onward, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.
Under 35 P.S. Section 450.801, Pennsylvania began statewide vital records registration in 1906. Birth certificates from that year onward are restricted for 105 years. Certified copies of birth and death certificates from the state office cost $20 each. Orders can be placed online through the state's official vendor, by mail to the Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or in person at a branch office.
Church records fill the gap before 1893 for Carbon County researchers. The county had many active congregations serving different ethnic communities in the coal-mining settlements. Catholic parishes, Welsh Calvinist churches, and various Protestant denominations all kept records of baptisms, marriages, and burials. The USGenWeb Archives include some of these church transcriptions.
Land and Probate Records in Carbon County
Carbon County land records begin in 1843 at the Recorder of Deeds. Deeds and mortgages cover the full period from the county's formation. Early deeds in Carbon County often involved coal-bearing land that changed hands frequently as the industry developed. Property records are useful for placing ancestors in specific townships and tracing family movements across the county. The online record search available through the courthouse terminals makes initial searches convenient before ordering certified copies.
Probate records at the Carbon County Register of Wills include wills, estate inventories, letters of administration, and orphans' court records from 1843. These records are public under 65 P.S. Section 67.101. Estate inventories from the coal era often list equipment, tools, and household goods that identify an ancestor's occupation and living conditions. The USGenWeb Archives hold will abstracts contributed by researchers that can guide courthouse visits.
Pennsylvania Archives and Carbon County Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds records covering all of Pennsylvania, including Carbon County. Military records, naturalization records, and coal industry labor records are among the materials at the state level. Carbon County residents served in various wars, and their service records may appear in both the state and national archives. Naturalization records at the state level can trace immigrant miners back to their home countries in Europe.
FamilySearch and Ancestry.com hold digitized Pennsylvania records including Carbon County materials. Census records, vital records indexes, and probate abstracts are searchable through both platforms. The State Library of Pennsylvania provides research guides for eastern Pennsylvania counties including Carbon. For researchers who cannot visit Jim Thorpe in person, these online platforms provide a starting point for Carbon County genealogy research before submitting a mail request to the courthouse.
Carbon County's position in the Pennsylvania Coal Region means researchers may also find relevant records in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Monroe, and Northampton Counties. Families often moved between coal-mining communities across county lines as mines opened and closed. Cross-county research is common for this region of eastern Pennsylvania.
Cities in Carbon County
Carbon County includes Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, and Lansford. For a complete list of Pennsylvania cities with genealogy pages, visit our cities directory.
Nearby Counties
Carbon County borders several eastern Pennsylvania counties. Coal Region families often crossed county lines, so check nearby records when research leads to boundary areas.